"I had to appear in the court and stand in the dock and the judge said 'charges are dismissed because of insufficient evidence'," he said.
"That added a bit of stress because we are riding along the road, some guy runs me off the road, smacks me in the face and police have the audacity to try and charge me?"
The charges of disorderly behaviour and fighting in public had made him angry at police, but he bore no animosity towards Rask.
"I just feel sorry for him," Mr Sutherland said. "But he's in a situation of his own making and it was so unnecessary.
"There was nothing happening."
Rask's actions had not affected his confidence while biking, but he did not believe it would be the last incident with a motorist.
"It hasn't increased my awareness; I was always aware of what they were like," he said.
"We get yelled at and abused all the time.
"I have been standing outside the service station after my ride and some guy's come up and started nutting off at me about cyclists.
"It's just impatience and it's just intolerance."
He did not believe there was an "easy fix" to the animosity held between motorists and cyclists, but he had some advice for all road users.
"If something happens, take a deep breath and carry on," he said. "Let it go - that goes for everyone."
Rask was convicted of assaulting Mr Sutherland, dangerous driving and wilful damage. He was sentenced in the Dunedin District Court on November 6 to 120 hours' community work and six months' supervision, in which he is to undertake an anger management or stopping violence course. He was disqualified from driving for six months from November 7 and ordered to pay witness fees of $125 and reparation.
